Convertible dual taxilane

ABSTRACT

A convertible dual taxilane ( 20 ) for guiding aircraft ( 22 ) from an aircraft parking position ( 30 ) to a taxiway ( 32 ) and for guiding aircraft ( 22 ) from the taxiway ( 32 ) to the aircraft parking position ( 30 ). The taxilane ( 20 ) includes a first boundary line ( 34 ) opposed to a second boundary line ( 36 ), wherein the taxilane ( 20 ) is located between the first and second boundary lines ( 34, 36 ). A centerline ( 38 ) is located in the taxilane ( 20 ), wherein the centerline ( 38 ) is generally centered between the first and second boundary lines ( 34, 36 ). The taxilane ( 20 ) also includes a first taxiline ( 42 ) located in the taxilane ( 20 ), wherein the first taxiline ( 42 ) is generally centered between the first boundary line ( 34 ) and the centerline ( 38 ) and a second taxiline ( 44 ) is located in the taxilane ( 20 ), wherein the second taxiline ( 44 ) is generally centered between the second boundary line ( 36 ) and the centerline ( 38 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates, in general, to a taxilane for guidingaircraft to and from an aircraft parking position and, moreparticularly, to a convertible dual taxilane for guiding aircraft froman aircraft parking position to a taxiway and for guiding aircraft fromthe taxiway to the aircraft parking position.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, the development and growth of shuttle operationshas placed a strain on both airside and terminal capacity of some of theairports at which these Shuttle operations operate. Much of the strainis due to the layout of the taxilanes within the airport. Taxilanes arethe portion of the aircraft parking area used for access betweentaxiways and aircraft parking positions. The taxiways are the strips ofroad that connect the taxilanes to the runways and the aircraft parkingpositions are the locations in which the aircraft are parked whenpassengers are to leave and exit the plane. Taxilanes connect thetaxiways to the aircraft parking positions. Typically, aircraft arerequired to travel in only one direction down a single taxilane.Therefore, aircraft can travel from the aircraft parking positions tothe taxiways or from the taxiways to the aircraft parking positions,however, multiple aircraft cannot be simultaneously traveling from theaircraft parking positions to the taxiways and from the taxiways to theaircraft parking positions. Moreover, since single taxilanes aredesigned as a single lane, aircraft must follow each other in a singlefile line down the taxilane. While many single taxilanes are wide enoughto allow two aircrafts to go down the taxilane side-by-side, thetaxilanes are not designed for such operation, since single taxilaneshave a width that is governed by the widest plane to travel down thetaxilane.

[0003] The design of a single lane taxilane is disadvantageous in someairports since its severely limits the amount of aircraft that can enterand leave the taxilane. First, the taxilane limits all aircraft withinthe taxilane to traveling in the same direction. Therefore, if anaircraft needs to leave the aircraft parking position and enter thetaxiway, other aircraft that wish to enter the taxilane must wait untilthe taxilane is clear of any aircraft before entering. Similarly, if anaircraft needs to enter the aircraft parking position and leave thetaxiway, other aircraft that wish to leave the aircraft parking positionand enter the taxiway must wait until the taxilane is clear of aircraft.Because of high congestion and traffic, in some airports, aircraftwaiting to enter the taxilane are often taxied out to a different areaof the airport until the taxilane is cleared. This increases the amountof time the passengers must stay on the aircraft and reduces the numberof flights an airport can handle at one time. Additionally, aircraftwaiting to leave taxilane must also wait until the taxilane is clear.This also increases the amount of time the passengers must stay on theaircraft and reduces the number of flights an airport can handle at onetime.

[0004] Accordingly, further development of taxilanes for guidingaircraft to and from an aircraft parking position and methods forguiding aircraft from the taxiway to the aircraft parking position, isnecessary in order to decrease congestion in the airport, decrease theamount of time the passengers must stay on the aircraft, and increasethe number of flights an airport can handle at one time.

SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above limitations of existing taxilanes forguiding aircraft to and from an aircraft parking position, it is anaspect of the present invention to provide a convertible dual taxilanefor guiding aircraft from an aircraft parking position to a taxiway andfor guiding aircraft from the taxiway to the aircraft parking position.The taxilane includes a first boundary line opposed to a second boundaryline, wherein the taxilane is located in between the first and secondboundary lines. A centerline is located in the taxilane, wherein thecenterline is generally centered between the first and second boundarylines. The taxilane also includes a first taxiline located in thetaxilane, wherein the first taxiline is generally centered between thefirst boundary line and the centerline and a second taxiline is locatedin the taxilane, wherein the second taxiline is generally centeredbetween the second boundary line and the centerline, wherein at leastone aircraft can be guided down one of the centerline, the firsttaxiline, and the second taxiline.

[0006] Unlike other taxilanes, the convertible dual taxilane of thisinvention allows multiple aircraft to travel in multiple directionssimultaneously. By having a first and second taxilines, some aircraftare able to travel from the aircraft parking position to the taxiway,while at the same time other aircraft are able to travel from thetaxiway to the aircraft parking position, thus decreasing congestion inthe airport, decreasing the amount of time the passengers must stay onthe aircraft, and increasing the number of flights an airport can handleat one time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is an overhead plan view of a convertible dual taxilane,according to one preferred embodiment;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an overhead plan view of a convertible dual taxilane,according to another preferred embodiment;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a side view of the convertible dual taxilane shown inFIG. 2, according to one preferred embodiment;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a front view of an aircraft, according to one preferredembodiment;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a side view of an aircraft, according to one preferredembodiment;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a overhead view of an aircraft, according to onepreferred embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a convertible dualtaxilane, according to one preferred embodiment; and

[0014]FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a taxiline, according to onepreferred embodiment.

[0015] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in theFigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,dimensions of some elements are exaggerated relative to each other.Further, when considered appropriate, reference numerals have beenrepeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Shown in FIG. 1 an overhead plan view of convertible dualtaxilane 20, according to one preferred embodiment. Convertible dualtaxilane 20 guides aircraft 22 from an aircraft parking position 30 to ataxiway 32 and from the taxiway 32 to the aircraft parking position 30,as illustrated in FIG. 1. Aircraft 22 may include any airplanes, suchas, wide body airplanes such as the Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767,Boeing 777, and Airbus A340, small body airplanes, such as the Boeing,707, Boeing 727, Boeing 737, DC8, DC9, Airbus A319, and Airbus A320,helicopters, hovering craft, or any flying craft. Aircraft 22 includeslarge aircraft 24 and small aircraft 26, as described herein. Indesigning taxilanes, the width C₁ of a taxilane is determined by thetypes of planes the taxilane is designed for and whether the taxilane isa parallel taxilane or a single taxilane. Typically, in the UnitedStates, a single taxilane has a width defined as 1.2 times the wingspanof the largest airplane the taxilane is designed for plus 20 feet, asdefined by the U.S. Department of Transportation. So therefore, if asingle taxilane is designed to fit a Boeing 777 aircraft having a 207foot wingspan, then that taxilane must be at least 268.4 feet(1.2*207+20=268.4) in width. Moreover, a parallel taxilane in the UnitedStates typically has a width of 2.3 times the wingspan of the largestairplane the taxilane is designed for plus 30 feet, as defined by theU.S. Department of Transportation. So therefore, if a parallel taxilaneis designed to fit a Boeing 737 aircraft having a 95 foot wingspan, thenthe taxilane must be at least 248.5 feet (2.3*95+=248.5) in width.

[0017] Typically, taxilanes are designed to be either single taxilanesthat carry planes in a single file line in one direction or a paralleltaxilane that carries planes in two single file lines in one or twodirections. Convertible dual taxilane 20 is both a single taxilane and aparallel taxilane, in that convertible dual taxilane 20 is a singletaxilane with aircraft that have a wingspan that exceeds the allowabletolerances for parallel taxilane operation, and convertible dualtaxilane 20 becomes a parallel taxilane with aircraft that meet theallowable tolerances for parallel taxilane operation. For example, ifconvertible dual taxilane 20 has a width of 300 feet, convertible dualtaxilane 20 would operate as a single taxilane with respect to aircraft22 which require a parallel taxilane having a width of greater than 300feet, such as the Boeing 777, since the Boeing 777 requires a taxilaneof 506.1 feet (2.3*207+506.1) to operate as a parallel taxilane.However, if convertible dual taxilane 20 has a width of 300 feet,convertible dual taxilane 20 would operate as a parallel taxilane withrespect to aircraft 22 which require a parallel taxilane having a widthof less than 300 feet, such as the Boeing 737, since the Boeing 737requires a taxilane having a width of 248.5 feet (2.3*95+=248.5) tooperate as a parallel taxilane. The clearances required for single orparallel taxilane operation and the definitions of a single or paralleltaxilane are determined by each country, and therefore are not limitedto the above stated requirements, which are just for the United States.

[0018] Convertible dual taxilane 20 includes a first boundary line 34, asecond boundary line 36, a centerline 38, a first taxiline 42, and asecond taxiline 44. First boundary line 34 is opposed to second boundaryline 36, wherein the taxilane 20 is located in between the first andsecond boundary lines 34, 36. The width C₁ of taxilane 20 is defined asthe distance between first boundary line 34 and second boundary line 36,as illustrated in FIG. 3. First boundary line 34 and second boundaryline 36 define the boundaries and the width of taxiline 20. Centerline38 is located in taxilane 20, wherein centerline 38 is generallycentered between the first and second boundary lines 34, 36, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-3. As defined herein, if a object is defined asbeing generally centered between two lines, the distance between theobject and the first line is equal to the distance between the objectand the second line to within ±15%. This means that the distance A₁between centerline 38 and first boundary line 34 is generally equal tothe distance B₁ between centerline 38 and second boundary line 36 towithin ±15%, as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the distance A₁ can bemuch greater than or much less than the distance B₁ depending on thegeometrical constraints of the airport and the terminals around taxilane20.

[0019] First taxiline 42 is located in taxilane 20, wherein the firsttaxiline 42 is generally centered between the first boundary line 34 andthe centerline 38. This means that the distance D₁ between firsttaxiline 42 and first boundary line 34 is generally equal to thedistance El between first taxiline 42 and centerline 38 to within ±15%,as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, the distance D₁ can be much greaterthan or much less than the distance E₁ depending on the geometricalconstraints of the airport and the terminals around taxilane 20. Secondtaxiline 44 located in the taxilane 20, wherein the second taxiline 44is generally centered between the second boundary line 36 and thecenterline 38. This means that the distance F₁ between second taxiline44 and centerline 38 is generally equal to the distance G₁ betweensecond taxiline 44 and second boundary line 36 to within ±15%, asillustrated in FIG. 3. However, the distance F₁ can be much greater thanor much less than the distance G₁ depending on the geometricalconstraints of the airport and the terminals around taxilane 20.

[0020] Preferably, first taxiline 42 and second taxiline 44 include anouter line 46 and an inner line 48 located within the boundary of theouter line 46, as illustrated in FIG. 7. More preferably, outer line 46includes reflective white paint or white paint with glass beads 52, andinner line 48 is painted in a fluorescent or highly reflective color, asillustrated in FIG. 8. In one preferred embodiment, inner line 48 ispainted in robin egg blue or fluorescent orange. The types of colorsthat inner line 48 is painted depend on the type of light illuminatingthe taxilane 20. By placing inner line 48 within the boundary of theouter line 46, and by painting outer line 46 in white, outer line 46 isable to act as a point of reference to allow a person viewing firsttaxiline 42 or second taxiline 44 to more accurately see the color offirst taxiline 42 or second taxiline 44. Outer line 46 is preferablybetween about 10 inches and about 14 inches in width, and inner line 48is preferably generally centered over outer line 46 and between about 6inches and about 10 inches in width. Preferably, when painting first andsecond taxilines 42, 44, outer line 46 is painted first, and then alayer of glass beads 52 is applied over outer line 46, as illustrated inFIG. 8. Then, inner line 48 is painted over outer line 46 and a portionof the glass beads 52. Centerline 38 may be painted using the samemethod as first taxiline 42 or second taxiline 44, but preferablyincludes a different color. In one preferred embodiment, centerline 38includes a phosphorus yellow line that is between about 6 inches andabout 14 inches in width.

[0021] In operation, at least one aircraft 22 can be guided down one ofthe centerline 38, the first taxiline 42, and the second taxiline 44, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Convertible dual taxilane 20 can be used asboth a single or parallel taxiway depending on the size of the aircraftbeing used on taxilane 20. Since taxilane 20 includes three lines inwhich airplanes can be guided down, centerline 38, the first taxiline42, and the second taxiline 44, taxilane 20 can be used to guide avariety of aircraft in a variety of ways. Taxilane 20 can guide bothlarge aircraft 24 and small aircraft 26. As defined herein, a largeaircraft 24 is an aircraft that has a wingspan that is large enough thatrequires taxilane 20 to operate as a single taxilane since the width C₁of taxilane 20 is insufficient for parallel taxilane operation. Singleand parallel taxilane requirements are based upon the aircraft'swingspan W, the width of the taxilane C₁, and the general requirementsof each country. For example, as described above, in the United States aparallel taxilane typically has a width of 2.3 times the wingspan of thelargest airplane the taxilane is designed for plus 30 feet, as definedby the U.S. Department of Transportation. Therefore, in the UnitedStates, taxilane 20 would operate as a single taxilane with a largeaircraft 24 that would not meet these requirements Large aircraft 24 areguided down centerline 38. If a large aircraft 24 is being guided downtaxilane 20, taxilane 20 is only able to guide aircraft 22 in onedirection, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As defined herein, a small aircraft26 is an aircraft that has a wingspan that is small enough that allowstaxilane 20 to operate as a parallel taxilane since the width C₁ oftaxilane 20 is sufficient for parallel taxilane operation. Therefore, inthe United States, taxilane 20 would operate as a parallel taxilane witha small aircraft 26 that would not meets the requirements for paralleltaxilane as stated above. If a small aircraft 26 is being guided downtaxilane 20, taxilane 20 is able to guide aircraft 22 in two directions,as illustrated in FIG. 2. Small aircraft 26 are guided down at least oneof the first taxiline 42 or the second taxiline 44.

[0022] By being able to operate as both a single and a paralleltaxilane, depending on the type of aircraft located on taxilane 20,taxilane 20 is able to increase the amount of aircraft entering andexiting from taxilane 20. Taxilane 20 may be used to guide aircraft downcenterline 38, first taxiline 42, and second taxiline 44 in a variety ofway know to those of skill in the art. For example, taxilane 20 may beused to guide at least one aircraft 22 down first taxiline 42 and atleast one aircraft 22 down second taxiline 44, as illustrated in FIGS.1-2. Taxilane 20 may also be used to guide at least one small aircraft26 down first taxiline 42 towards taxiway 32 and at least one smallaircraft 26 down second taxiline 44 towards taxiway 32, as illustratedin FIG. 1. Taxilane 20 may also be used to guide at least one smallaircraft 26 down first taxiline 42 towards aircraft parking position 30and at least one small aircraft 26 down second taxiline 44 towardstaxiway 32, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Taxilane 20 may also be used toguide at least one large aircraft 24 down centerline 38 and at least onesmall aircraft 26 down first taxiline 42 and/or second taxiline 44,wherein the large aircraft 24 and the small aircraft 26 are all going inthe same direction, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Taxilane 20 may also beused to guide an aircraft 22 from one taxiline 42, 44 or centerline 38to a second taxiline 42, 44 or to centerline 38.

[0023] In one preferred embodiment, taxilane 20 includes at least onecurved lead-in line 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Curved lead-in lines50 are connected to first taxiline 42 and/or second taxiline 44. Curvedlead-in lines 50 are directed from one of the first and second taxilines42, 44 to an aircraft parking position 30 and are used for redirectingthe airflow from a turning aircraft 22 on the convertible dual taxilane20.

[0024] In one preferred embodiment, multiple convertible dual taxilanes20 are used in parallel. Multiple convertible dual taxilanes 20 areseparated by a road in between them to provide clearance between eachconvertible dual taxilanes 20. While the above embodiments have beendescribed with respect to a taxilane, the invention may also be appliedto a taxiway as well, and be able to guide aircraft 22 from runways to ataxilane.

[0025] Thus it is apparent that there it has been provided in accordancewith the invention a convertible dual taxilane for guiding aircraft froman aircraft parking position to a taxiway and for guiding aircraft fromthe taxiway to the aircraft parking position that fully provides theadvantage set forth above. Although the invention has been described andillustrated with reference to specific illustrated embodiments thereof,it is not intended that the invention be limited to those illustratedembodiments. Those skilled in the art would recognize that variationsand modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

1. A convertible dual taxilane comprising: a first boundary line opposedto a second boundary line, wherein the taxilane is located between thefirst and second boundary lines; a centerline located in the taxilane,wherein the centerline is generally centered between the first andsecond boundary lines; a first taxiline located in the taxilane, whereinthe first taxiline is generally centered between the first boundary lineand the centerline; and a second taxiline located in the taxilane,wherein the second taxiline is generally centered between the secondboundary line and the centerline.
 2. The convertible dual taxilane ofclaim 1, wherein the centerline comprises a line that is between about 6inches and about 14 inches in width.
 3. The convertible dual taxilane ofclaim 1, wherein the first taxiline comprises a white line having glassbeads that is between about 10 inches and about 14 inches in width, anda colored line generally centered over the white line that is betweenabout 6 inches and about 10 inches in width.
 4. The convertible dualtaxilane of claim 1, wherein the distance between the first boundaryline and the second boundary line is less than 300 feet.
 5. Theconvertible dual taxilane of claim 1, further comprising a curvedlead-in line from one of the first and second taxilines to an aircraftparking position for redirecting the airflow from an aircraft on theconvertible dual taxilane.
 6. The convertible dual taxilane of claim 1,further comprising a first arrow located on the first taxiline fordirecting an aircraft into the taxilane and a second arrow located onthe second taxiline for directing an aircraft out of the taxilane.
 7. Amethod for guiding aircraft into and out of a taxilane, the methodcomprising: guiding the aircraft down one of a centerline, a firsttaxiline, and a second taxiline to a taxiway, wherein the centerline isgenerally down the center of a convertible dual taxilane, the firsttaxiline is on one side of the centerline, the second taxiline is on asecond side of the centerline, and wherein the convertible dual taxilaneguides aircraft from an aircraft parking position to a taxiway andguides aircraft from the taxiway to the aircraft parking position. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising guiding a first aircraft downthe first taxiline into the taxilane while simultaneously guiding asecond aircraft down the second taxiline out of the taxilane.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising guiding a first aircraft down thesecond taxiline out of the taxilane while simultaneously guiding asecond aircraft down the centerline out of the taxilane.
 10. The methodof claim 7, further comprising guiding a first aircraft down the firsttaxiline into the taxilane while simultaneously guiding a secondaircraft down the centerline into the taxilane.
 11. The method of claim7, further comprising guiding a first aircraft from the first taxilineinto the taxilane to the second taxiline.
 12. The method of claim 7,wherein the width of the taxilane is less than 300 feet.
 13. The methodof claim 7, further comprising guiding a first aircraft down the secondtaxiline out of the taxilane while simultaneously guiding a secondaircraft down the centerline out of the taxilane.
 14. A convertible dualtaxilane for guiding aircraft to an aircraft parking position and forguiding aircraft from the aircraft parking position to a taxiway, thetaxilane comprising: a centerline located in the taxilane, wherein thecenterline is generally centered within the taxilane; a first taxilinelocated in the taxilane, wherein the first taxiline is located on afirst side of the centerline; and a second taxiline located in thetaxilane, wherein the second taxiline is located on a second side of thecenterline, wherein at least one aircraft can be guided down one of thecenterline, the first taxiline, and the second taxiline.
 15. Theconvertible dual taxilane of claim 14, further comprising a firstboundary line opposed to a second boundary line, wherein the taxilane islocated in between the first and second boundary lines.
 16. Theconvertible dual taxilane of claim 15, wherein the distance between thefirst boundary line and the second boundary line is less than 300 feet.17. The convertible dual taxilane of claim 14, wherein the centerlinecomprises a reflective line that is between about 10 inches and about 14inches in width.
 18. The convertible dual taxilane of claim 14, furthercomprising a curved lead-in line from one of the first and secondtaxilines to an aircraft parking position for redirecting the airflowfrom an aircraft on the convertible dual taxilane.
 19. The convertibledual taxilane of claim 14, further comprising a first arrow located onthe first taxiline for directing an aircraft into the taxilane and asecond arrow located on the second taxiline for directing an aircraftout of the taxilane.
 20. The convertible dual taxilane of claim 14,further comprising at least one aircraft located in the taxilane,wherein the aircraft is guided down one of the centerline, the firsttaxiline, and the second taxiline.
 21. A method for preparing anaircraft comprising: forming the aircraft; and guiding the aircraft downone of a centerline, a first taxiline, and a second taxiline to ataxiway, wherein the centerline is generally down the center of aconvertible dual taxilane, the first taxiline is on one side of thecenterline, the second taxiline is on a second side of the centerline,and wherein the convertible dual taxilane guides aircraft from anaircraft parking position to a taxiway and guides aircraft from thetaxiway to the aircraft parking position.
 22. A method for guidingaircraft out of an airport comprising: guiding an aircraft down one of acenterline, a first taxiline, and a second taxiline to a taxiway,wherein the centerline is generally down the center of a convertibledual taxilane, the first taxiline is on one side of the centerline, thesecond taxiline is on a second side of the centerline, and wherein theconvertible dual taxilane guides aircraft from an aircraft parkingposition to a taxiway and guides aircraft from the taxiway to theaircraft parking position; guiding the aircraft from the taxiway to arunway; and launching the aircraft from the runway to a destination. 23.The method of claim 22, further comprising landing the aircraft in thedestination.
 24. A method for guiding aircraft into of an airportcomprising: landing the aircraft on a runway in the airport; guiding theaircraft from the runway to a taxiway; and guiding an aircraft down oneof a centerline, a first taxiline, and a second taxiline from thetaxiway to an aircraft parking position, wherein the centerline isgenerally down the center of a convertible dual taxilane, the firsttaxiline is on one side of the centerline, the second taxiline is on asecond side of the centerline, and wherein the convertible dual taxilaneguides aircraft from an aircraft parking position to a taxiway andguides aircraft from the taxiway to the aircraft parking position.